This study employed theoretical analysis and experimental measurements in an exploration of the transient behavior of a cantilever plate subjected a dynamic force at the surface.Theoretical solution of transient displacement is a product of the time and space functions (mode shapes).The superposition method was used to obtain the mode shapes and resonant frequencies of free vibrations and the orthogonality of the mode function was used to construct the time function.Then,we demonstrate the transient response including transient displacement and strain of the cantilever plate by applying a dynamic point force with known history of the loading.In the experiment,the dynamic external force was produced by the impact of a steel ball on the cantilever plate,and a pair of Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) sensors are used to capture the force loading history.Fotonic sensor (FS) were used to measure the time signals of transient displacement,and PVDF film sensors were used to determine transient strain in the cantilever plate.Our results obtained in the experiment are highly consistent with theoretical analysis and FEM simulations.Theoretical analysis combing with detected impact loading history has been demonstrated to be capable of predicting the transient displacement and strain for cantilever plate in time domain.In frequency domain,theoretical analysis help to clarify the relationship among the amplitude of resonant modes in the frequency spectra,and revealed that applying an excitation force near the nodal lines of particular mode shapes can reduce the contribution of those modes to the transient signals.